Page 5 of The Marquess’s Stolen Bride (Dukes Gone Dirty #3)

5

M adeline had no idea what to make of it all.

She’d been in this house for nearly a day. For hours she’d sat here with these kind, welcoming ladies, and she still wasn’t sure what they expected of her.

But, as she sat on the settee in Lord and Lady Fallenmore’s drawing room, it was clear that something was expected of her.

“Perhaps you’d like some more tea,” Lady Raffian said.

No, Evangeline . The beautiful blonde kept insisting that Madeline call her Evangeline.

“No, thank you,” Madeline said.

Evangeline looked to the woman with auburn hair and a dazzling smile to her left—a countess just like Madeline’s mother. Lady Foster, but she insisted that Madeline call her Philippa.

“I do hope you know you can trust us, dear,” Philippa said, reaching across the table cluttered with teacups to pat Madeline’s hand. “We’ve all been where you are, and there are no three women who could better understand if you have any questions or…reservations about your upcoming marriage.”

Reservations? Madeline glanced over at the other redhead, her hostess Lady Fallenmore.

No, Vivian .

Lud, but this did not come easily to her. They honestly expected Madeline to use their given names as if they were her dearest friends.

“I appreciate that, Lady…er, Philippa. But I have no questions,” she said.

In fact, she had many questions. But none that these women could answer for her.

She couldn’t bring herself to say she had no reservations. That was too big of a lie. She was filled with nothing but reservations.

Exhaustion had claimed her easily enough last night, but whatever fears and second thoughts she’d avoided the evening before hit her smack in the face the moment she rose.

A clock ticked in the corner, and Vivian gave her another gentle smile. While she had red hair like Philippa, Vivian seemed a little older and had a more maternal air about her, while Philippa seemed to spark with energy beside sweet, quiet Evangeline.

“Are you…are you all right with the fact that you’re marrying Hayden?” Philippa asked, the words bursting forth as if she couldn’t hold them back for one more moment.

The other two cast Philippa wide-eyed looks, and Madeline had to bite back a smile at Philippa’s look of chagrin.

But then all eyes were on her again as they awaited an answer.

And how to answer such a question?

Was she all right?

Does it matter? She wanted to shoot back.

“I…” She cleared her throat. “I know it is necessary. And I am fortunate…in many ways.”

This was all true. Thanks to her mother and Mr. Foley’s little event where she was on display as some sort of sacrifice—or worse, some possession to be bought and used—she was now all too aware of what fate had in store for her before Hayden came along.

And as far as future husbands go, he seemed nice enough.

A smile tugged at her lips at the memory of him holding a book out to her. He’d looked so sincere and hopeful.

She hadn’t had the heart to tell him she did not know how to read.

Her smile fell flat as shame filled her chest and made her hands tighten into fists. She ought to know her letters, at the very least.

This kind, wealthy, titled gentleman was going to make her his wife and she couldn’t even read.

He could likely have any lady he wanted as a wife, and he’d be stuck with her. Uneducated and unpolished. She didn’t know the first thing about being a wife, let alone a marchioness.

And the man who would be her husband was so very kind. And handsome. No one could deny he was handsome.

But a charming smile and kind eyes were hardly a true indication of a man’s character, now were they?

He drank, she knew that. What if he was a mean drunk? Or what if he grew violent like her father and beat her, or…

Or what?

She’d be no worse off than she had been before.

Still, she supposed there was something to be said for familiarity, even when it was awful. There was an odd sort of comfort in knowing one’s doom. But surely the life Hayden offered would be better than anything she could expect with any of those leering, grasping men.

The three ladies were still watching her expectantly.

“Is he…” She wet her lips, her voice cracking under the weight of their stares. “Is Hayden coming back?”

“Oh yes, of course,” Vivian said quickly.

He’d been gone by the time Madeline had mustered the courage to leave her room. Some part of her was afraid she’d get in trouble for leaving her quarters without being fetched, but Vivian had greeted her warmly as she’d explained that she’d just missed Hayden.

“He and the other men should be back soon enough,” Vivian continued. “Once they obtain the special license.”

Madeline nodded, her hands twisting in her lap. The special license.

To marry.

Panic reared up sudden and unexpected. Her heart raced like mad at the enormity of what she was about to do.

Oh good God, she had to get out of here. She had to escape. Her gaze darted around the room, but there were no doors in here, only the one leading out into the hallway.

And where would she go?

She forced herself to take a deep, calming breath. This urge to run, it was merely fear at work. She had to stop. Had to think.

“Madeline, I…” Evangeline blushed. “I did not wish to marry Raff.”

Madeline stilled. The others turned to Evangeline with sympathetic expressions.

“It was a very difficult time for me. And obviously, Raff and I, we…we worked it out. We are quite happily in love now,” she added with a grin. “But I know I would have given anything to have had a friend in my corner. Someone to talk to.”

Vivian took over. “I think what Evangeline is saying is that even though you might not know us well?—”

“Yet,” Philippa interjected.

“Even though you don’t know us well yet ,” Vivian amended with a smile. “We should very much like to be friends with you. And we hope that you will come to any one of us if you need to talk or if you have any questions…”

Madeline cast another look at the other ladies as her brows drew together in confusion.

There was that mention of questions again. What did they think she had questions about?

It was Philippa who stopped treading lightly around the topic. She leaned forward with a sigh. “Madeline, dearest, do you know what a man expects of a woman when they’re wed?”

Madeline’s cheeks caught fire but she nodded quickly. “I think so. At least, I have an idea.”

Not much of an idea, but sadly the way those men touched her. The lewd words she’d overheard and the way they’d looked at her…

She shrank back on the settee now, her breathing coming in shallow gasps.

Was that what Hayden would do to her? Was that what he expected as well?

Another silent exchange occurred between the other women as if they were trying to decide if that answer was good enough.

Fortunately, just then the doors to the drawing room opened and the four men appeared. For a moment, all was chaos as the husbands and wives sought each other out, and everyone seemed to be talking over one another.

Hayden cut through the others and his gaze sought her out. Was it her imagination or did he seem to breathe a sigh of relief to find her sitting there?

Surely it was her imagination. And yet, she couldn’t quite help the smile she gave him in turn. It felt like the first genuine smile to grace her lips all day, and she breathed out a sigh of relief of her own.

Though for the life of her, she couldn’t explain it.

Maybe it was the fact that he seemed familiar. More familiar, at least, than the others here in this room.

“How are you?” he asked as he sat beside her.

She nodded. All right. I’m fine . She couldn’t say a word. This close, she could smell his warm scent, and it reminded her of the night before. When he’d come to say goodnight and his very presence had made her feel like she was living in a dream.

No one was this kind to her. No one said goodnight to her with that much affection or smiled at her with that much kindness.

Well, no one aside from Albert, but he didn’t make her belly flutter like Hayden did.

Was that normal?

For a moment, she wished she’d asked that of her new lady friends.

“Did you…did you get it?” she asked.

He reached for her hand and squeezed, his smile triumphant. “I did.”

“ We did,” Lord Raffian corrected with a laugh.

Lord Fallenmore clapped the large, scarred earl beside him on the back. “I’d say most of the credit goes to our intimidating friend here.”

Philippa grinned up at him, unabashedly loving, and his lips quirked at the corners. “I suppose sometimes the beastly appearance can be a boon.”

Madeline looked to Hayden, who winked down at her as he covered her hand with his.

“It took a little convincing, especially considering I had to be rather…artful with my excuses.”

She blushed as she dipped her head.

The others were all noisily laughing and talking amongst themselves. She felt Hayden’s fingers beneath her chin tilting her face up gently. So very gently it made her chest tighten.

When was the last time anyone had ever touched her so gently?

“All will be well, Madeline,” he said.

She nodded because it seemed to be what he wanted.

“I’m sorry.” The whisper came out of her before she could stop it.

His brows arched. “You’re sorry? I’m the dolt who came barging in on you.”

“Yes, but…you shouldn’t have to be stuck with me.”

And stuck he was.

Just as she was trapped. Thoroughly. Completely.

She glanced around frantically. Oh goodness, she needed some air, that was all.

“Would you take a turn about the room with me?” he asked.

She nodded. What else could she do? And soon they were striding away from the others, slowly pacing the lengths of the room. To what end? They were going in circles.

“Is this…” She glanced up hesitantly. “Is this something that courting couples do?”

His lips wobbled like he was fighting a smile. “I’ve heard they do, but I’ll admit, I’m not quite certain what the point of it is.”

A laugh slipped out of her mouth, startling her. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d heard her own laughter. “I suppose it gives a couple some privacy.”

“Mmm.” He glanced over meaningfully to where the other three couples were all watching them, not even trying to pretend they weren’t. “Not much privacy though, eh?”

“No,” she agreed.

They fell silent again and she grew painfully aware of him. All of him. All six-feet-whatever he was. He was tall and he was broad…

But he didn’t use that to intimidate her.

And yet, she was still a little intimidated.

“One day, I hope you’ll speak to me about what your life was like growing up in that household,” he said slowly. “I will not push you to tell me. But from what I saw, well…” He turned and cupped her face between his hands, his expression unnervingly earnest. “I want you to know that I will take care of you now. You are safe with me. Do you understand?”

She nodded, her breath hitching in her lungs. He seemed so sincere. And yet…

The way he was holding her face, the odd intensity in his eyes—it made her heart lurch with fear. She knew well the sort of lunacy that heightened emotions could lead to, and she backed away from him with a pounding heart.

He let her go, watching her steadily. “Did I do something wrong?”

She shook her head, swallowing hard.

He looked like he might ask more questions, but then his demeanor changed and he smiled once more. “Madeline, I brought someone here to see you.”

She glanced around in question.

“A surgeon,” he continued. “He’s trustworthy, and well respected, though he’s not one that members of the ton would call for. It didn’t seem prudent to set tongues wagging before the wedding was announced.”

She frowned. “A surgeon? What for?”

“Just to check you over, to make sure you are well?—”

“I am not sick,” she said. Her heart tripped and fell. A surgeon. She’d heard her father ranting about doctors enough to know that they could hurt you.

They could touch you and give you drugs.

She backed away further. “I don’t want some strange man touching me.”

“You have nothing to fear, Madeline. I could go with you if you’d like. Make sure no one harms you.” She winced at the thought of two men alone with her. He glanced over to Vivian, who was watching them closely. “Or I could have Vivian go with you. She will ensure your safety.”

It seemed as if everyone in the room was watching her now, and her legs began to tremble.

He offered his arm. “I promise you, Madeline. I will not let anyone hurt you ever again.”

A short time later, she was alone in a room with the surgeon, Doctor Sinclair. Though Vivian had indeed offered to accompany her, in the end, Madeline opted to see him alone.

He seemed older than Hayden, but not by much, and his sandy-blonde hair fell to his shoulders. He put her at ease quickly with his calm voice and gentle hands.

He did not force her to disrobe, and his brief inspection was done before she knew it.

“You need to eat,” he said. “You are malnourished and it shows. I suspect there are other injuries as well. Injuries I cannot see…”

She stared back at him blankly. She was not stupid. She knew what he meant, but she had no desire to speak with him about her life before this moment, nor of the events the night Hayden had stolen her away.

He was right though. There were no bruises where those men had touched her, but she still felt their fingers and smelled their rancid breath like the moment had been imprinted in her memory.

He crossed his arms and regarded her with a sigh. “How much do you know about doctors, Lady Madeline?”

She blinked at the title. She supposed technically she was an earl’s daughter, but no one had ever called her lady before. In her household, even the servants knew that she was the bastard girl. The prisoner in the tower. She was anything but a lady.

Madeline shook her head when she realized he was waiting for an answer. How much did she know? Blessedly little.

“Part of this profession includes acting as a confidante. I cannot discuss your health with others. Anything you say to me as a patient stays strictly between us.”

Her brows hitched up. “Truly?”

He nodded and watched her. “I do not know how you came to be here or why you look as though you’ve suffered at the hands of others. But you must know that if you need me, I am here to help you. I owe no allegiance to your fiancé or his friends. My sole duty as your physician is to you and you alone.”

Her lips parted. So much kindness in one day from so many strangers.

“I don’t believe you could help me,” she said slowly. “I am…that is…Hayden and I are both caught in a situation, you see…”

He nodded as if he did see.

He couldn’t possibly.

“Is there anyone who can help you?” He seemed to be choosing his words cautiously. “A message to relay, perhaps?”

He’d gotten it all wrong. She could see it in his eyes. He was angry with Hayden and the others. He thought they were doing wrong by her. But that wasn’t the case at all.

And yet…

And yet, she didn’t know the man she was to wed. What if all these smiles and his kindness were just a ruse for the others? What if she got to know him and despised him? She recalled that flash of intensity in his eyes. Possessiveness and need and?—

She shuddered. And that dark desire she’d seen in the eyes of those men who’d touched her so horribly.

She shook her head, swallowing down bile.

The doctor was waiting for some sort of response. She wet her lips to say ‘no, there’s nothing you can do’ but then her mind caught on the phrase he’d used—a message to relay.

She straightened. A surge of hope flaring. It wasn’t exactly an escape from all this, but it would be her saving grace if Hayden wasn’t the man he seemed.

“Could you…could you write a note for me?” she asked. “I do not know my letters and?—”

“Yes. Of course.” He sought out the materials without a single question and wrote her message with a furrowed brow.

“I’ve been forced to marry,” she said softly, watching the doctor’s hands as he wrote the words. “Please help me…”

True concern was in his eyes when he finished and read over what he’d written and held it up for her perusal. As the letters blurred in a meaningless patter, all she could do was nod and trust that he’d written what she’d said.

“Shall I post it for you? Who may I address it to?”

She wet her lips and shook her head. That was the trouble. She didn’t know where Albert was or how to find him. “I will handle that if need be.”

If need be.

If Hayden turned out to be a monster, well…at least this time she wouldn’t be trapped without some sort of escape in place.

Not again.

Never again.